Hue people brave the rain to pray for national peace and prosperity at the Buddha's birthday procession

The heavy thunderstorm did not stop hundreds of Hue people from braving the rain to pray for national peace and prosperity in the Buddha's birthday procession from Dieu De Pagoda to Tu Dam Pagoda.

Phật tử xếp thành hàng, trang nghiêm, tôn kính chờ các bậc chư tôn giáo phẩm tiến hành lễ Mộc dục (tắm Phật) trong lễ rước mừng Phật đản ở Huế - Ảnh: BẢO PHÚ — *Buddhists lined up solemnly and respectfully waiting for the religious dignitaries to perform the Buddha bathing ceremony during the Buddha's birthday procession in Hue - Photo: BAO PHU*

On the evening of May 21, Hue experienced heavy thunderstorms on the day of the Buddha's birthday procession.

Despite the rain, thousands of monks, Buddhists and local people were present at Dieu De National Temple next to Dong Ba River to attend the Buddha bathing ceremony and pray for national peace and prosperity.

At the hundred-year-old Dieu De Pagoda, the religious dignitaries, monks, nuns, and Buddhists performed the Buddha bathing ceremony for the statue of Buddha Shakyamuni.

After completing the Buddha bathing ceremony and praying for national peace and prosperity, the Buddha statue was carried to a flower car waiting in front of the temple gate, then moved across Dong Ba market, over Truong Tien bridge towards Tu Dam pagoda on Su Lieu Quan street.

Nghiêm trang nghi lễ Mộc dục (tắm Phật) cho bức tượng Đức Phật Thích Ca Mâu Ni tại chùa Diệu Đế - Ảnh: BẢO PHÚ — *Solemn bathing ceremony for the statue of Buddha Shakyamuni at Dieu De Pagoda - Photo: BAO PHU*

Following the Buddha statue procession were hundreds of people, monks, nuns, and Buddhists, creating a colorful procession with a festive atmosphere.

Below the Perfume River, dozens of dragon boats decorated with lotus flowers and shimmering Buddhist flags also follow the procession carrying the Buddha statue.

Đoàn chư tăng cùng phật tử đội mưa rước tượng Phật từ chùa Diệu Đến đến chùa Từ Đàm - Ảnh: BẢO PHÚ — *A group of monks and Buddhists braved the rain to carry the Buddha statue from Dieu Den Pagoda to Tu Dam Pagoda - Photo: BAO PHU*

As the evening wore on, the rain became heavier, but people still joined in the solemn atmosphere, sincerely praying and respectfully celebrating Buddha's birthday.

After the procession arrived at Tu Dam Pagoda, the Buddha statue was carried to the main stage area in front of the pagoda yard - where on the morning of May 22, the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Thua Thien Hue province held a grand ceremony to celebrate Buddha's birthday.

Buddha's birthday is celebrated annually on the 15th day of the fourth lunar month to commemorate the birth of Buddha. Since 1999, April 15 has been recognized by the United Nations as a world cultural and spiritual festival. Buddha's birthday is one of three festivals that make up the Vesak festival that the United Nations calls Vesak (Buddha's birthday, Buddha's enlightenment and Buddha's passing into Nirvana).

Some pictures of the Buddha's birthday procession in Hue: